WaterfallNear Me

Upper Sugar Creek Falls

Jackson County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Jackson County, North Carolina
Access status
Partial guide: informal flagged path; road status beyond the bridge not stated
The walk
About 0.7 miles each way
Ground & access
Old road with a creek crossing that may need wading, then a difficult informal path. Rocks are slippery.
Waterfall Hero: Sugar Creek Waterfalls (Caney Fork)

Upper Sugar Creek Falls is the upper of two waterfalls on Sugar Creek in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest. From Caney Fork Road, follow Sugar Creek Road 0.8 miles, the last part a very narrow gravel road, and park just before the bridge over Sugar Creek. Walk the road over the bridge and upstream along the creek. At about 0.3 miles the road crosses Sugar Creek; this may be a wade. At 0.5 miles, where the road makes a sharp left, go straight on a path to Sugar Creek Falls. Climb along the right bank (facing downstream) to the top of the falls and continue a short way to the upper falls on a more difficult path that was flagged when the source visited. Return the same way. The route description dates from 2020.

Plan your visit

Old road along Sugar Creek from the Sugar Creek Road bridge to Sugar Creek Falls, then a flagged path past the falls to Upper Sugar Creek Falls

Waterfall Hero gives a 1.4 mile hike length for the three Sugar Creek area waterfalls, with Sugar Creek Falls at 0.5 miles and the upper falls a short way farther.

Old road with a creek crossing that may need wading, then a difficult informal path. Rocks are slippery.

Where to start

Park just before the bridge over Sugar Creek, 0.8 miles up Sugar Creek Road from Caney Fork Road. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.31244, -83.04455. The source does not say who owns the road beyond the bridge or whether it is gated.

Timing & water

The creek crossing may be a wade in high water.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is mentioned.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Jackson County, North Carolina.

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